Small form factor pluggable unit with signal conversion capabilities

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to devices comprising small form factor pluggable units (SFP) having connectors for receiving and sending signals and a processor for converting the received signals prior to sending the converted signals. Received or sent signals may comprise video signals in various analog or digital formats. Conversion of the received signals may comprise analog to digital or digital to analog conversion, serializing or deserializing a digital signal, frame synchronization of a video signal, and/or cross conversion of a video signal from a first format to a second format.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of small form factorpluggable units. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to adevice for converting video signals.

BACKGROUND

Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) units are standardized units adaptedto be inserted within a chassis. A suite of specifications, produced bythe SFF (Small Form Factor) Committee, describe the size of the SFPunit, so as to ensure that all SFP compliant units may be insertedsmoothly within one same chassis, i.e. inside cages, ganged cages,superposed cages and belly-to-belly cages. Specifications for SFP unitsare available at http://www.sffcommittee.com/ie/index.html.

SFP units may be used with various types of exterior connectors, such ascoaxial connectors, optical connectors, and various other types ofelectrical connectors. In general, a SFP unit allows connection betweenan external apparatus, via a front connector of one of theaforementioned types, and internal components of a host system, forexample a motherboard or a backplane leading to further components, viaa back interface of the SFP unit. Specification no INF-8074i Rev 1.0,entitled “SFP (Small Form factor Pluggable) Transceiver”, dated May 12,2001, available at ftp://ftp.seagate.com/sff/INF-8074.PDF, generallydescribes sizes, mechanical interfaces, electrical interfaces andidentification of SFP units.

The SFF Committee also produced specification no SFF-8431 Rev. 4.1,“Enhanced Small Form Factor Pluggable Module SFP+”, dated Jul. 6, 2010.This document, which reflects an evolution of the INF-8074ispecification, defines, inter alia, high speed electrical interfacespecifications for 10 Gigabit per second SFP+ modules and hosts, andtesting procedures. The term “SFP+” designates an evolution of SFPspecifications.

INF-8074i and SFF-8431 do not generally address internal features andfunctions of SFP devices. In terms of internal features, they simplydefine identification information to describe SFP devices' capabilities,supported interfaces, manufacturer, and the like. As a result,conventional SFP devices merely provide connection means betweenexternal apparatuses and components of a host system, the host system inturn exchanging signals with external apparatuses via SFP devices.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a smallform-factor pluggable (SFP) unit comprising a first connector forreceiving a video signal, an analog to digital convertor (ADC) forconverting the video signal into a digital signal, a serializer modulefor transforming the digital signal into a serial data signal, and asecond connector for outputting the serial data signal.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a SFP unitcomprising a first connector for receiving a serial data signal, adeserializer module for transforming the serial data signal into adigital signal, a digital to analog convertor (DAC) for converting thedigital signal into a video signal, and a second connector foroutputting the video signal.

According to a third aspect, the present disclosure provides aconversion device comprising a SFP unit. The SFP unit comprises a firstconnector for receiving a video signal, an ADC for converting the videosignal into a digital signal, a serializer module for transforming thedigital signal into a serial data signal, and a second connector foroutputting the serial data signal.

According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides aconversion device comprising a SFP unit. The SFP unit comprises a firstconnector for receiving a serial data signal, a deserializer module fortransforming the serial data signal into a digital signal, a DAC forconverting the digital signal into a video signal, and a secondconnector for outputting the video signal.

According to a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides aconversion device comprising a SFP unit. The SFP unit comprises anADC/DAC for converting a signal between an analog format and a digitalparallel format, a serializer/deserializer module for transforming adigital signal between the digital parallel format and a serial format,a first connector for receiving and/or sending a video signal accordingto the analog format, and a second connector for receiving and/orsending a data signal according to the serial format.

According to a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a SFP unitcomprising a first connector for receiving a first video signalaccording to a first format, a processor for converting the first videosignal from the first format to a second format, and a second connectorfor outputting a second video signal according to the second format.

According to a seventh aspect, the present disclosure provides a SFPunit comprising a first connector for receiving an analog or digitalvideo signal, a timing source, a processor for applying framesynchronization to frames of the video signal based on the timingsource, and a second connector for outputting the video signal.

According to an eighth aspect, the present disclosure provides a devicecomprising a SFP unit. The SFP unit comprises a first connector forreceiving a video signal, a processor for converting the received videosignal, and a second connector for sending the converted video signal.

The foregoing and other features will become more apparent upon readingof the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodimentsthereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of example onlywith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a SFP unit;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the SFP unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the SFP unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is back elevation view of the SFP unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the SFP unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit havingsignal conversion capabilities, according to, an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit havingsignal conversion capabilities, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit havingcross conversion capabilities, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit havingcross conversion capabilities, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit havingsynchronization capabilities, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit havingsynchronization capabilities, according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit havingsynchronization capabilities, according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure introduces Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP)units having internal features that far exceed those of conventionalunits. While conventional units merely provide connection capabilitiesbetween a host system in which they are inserted and externalapparatuses, the SFP units disclosed herein provide conversioncapabilities between analog video signals and serial data signalsrepresentative of the video signals. The SFP units may convert videosignals between their analog format and their serial data format, ineither or both directions, without the need to resort to any feature ofa host system.

The following terminology is used throughout the present disclosure:

-   -   SFP Small Form factor Pluggable, this term refers to units that        are insertable into a chassis of a hosting unit; in the present        disclosure, a SFP unit may or may not comply with an industry        standard specification.    -   ADC Analog to Digital Converter or Conversion of an electrical        or optical signal.    -   DAC Digital to Analog Converter or Conversion of an electrical        or optical signal.    -   Video signal Analog or digital signal usable for display        purposes, either directly on a monitor, or through multicast or        broadcast.    -   Serializer Module converting data from a parallel format to a        serial format.    -   Deserializer Module converting data from a serial format to a        parallel format.    -   Connector A device component for physically joining circuits        carrying electrical, optical, radio-frequency, or like signals.    -   NTSC National Television System Committee specification for        analog television broadcast used in North America and elsewhere.    -   PAL Phase Alternating Line specification for analog television        broadcast used in Western Europe and elsewhere.    -   SECAM Séquentiel couleur à mémoire, French for “Sequential Color        with Memory”, specification for analog television broadcast used        in France, Eastern Europe and elsewhere.    -   RGB Red Green Blue color model for video signals, used for        example in computer displays; this includes both RGBS, in which        horizontal and vertical synchronization are carried on a        single (S) wire, and RGBHV, in which horizontal synchronization        is carried on a (H) wire and vertical synchronization is carried        on a (V) wire.    -   YP_(B)P_(R) Color space encoding in which Y represents a        brightness level, P_(B) carries a difference between blue and        the brightness level, and P_(R) carries a difference between red        and the brightness level.    -   Equalizer Processor for reducing intersymbol interference of an        incoming signal.    -   Driver Amplifier for improving a strength of a signal at its        source.    -   Cross conversion Conversion of a signal from a first format to a        second format.    -   Frame synchronization Alignment of frames of an incoming video        signal according to a timing reference.

The present disclosure relates to a device comprising a smallform-factor pluggable (SFP) unit having signal conversion capabilities.The expression ‘signal conversion’ is used throughout the presentdisclosure and claims, and is meant to encompass conversion of signalsbetween a first, analog or digital format and a second, analog ordigital format, the signal conversion optionally including additionalsignal treatment.

The SFP unit comprises a housing having a front panel, a back panel, atop, a bottom and two sides, and may be fully-compliant or partiallycompliant with standardized SFP dimensions, such as SFP, XFP (10 GigabitSFP), Xenpak, or any other standardized small form factor pluggableunit. Consequently, in the context of the present disclosure, a SFP Unitmay correspond to SFP, SFP+, XFP or any other known standards related tosmall form factor pluggable units.

In the present description, the term “video signal” may designatesignals compliant with various standards and specifications, includingbut not limited to a National Television System Committee (NTSC) signal,a Phase Alternating Line (PAL) signal, a Sequential Color with Memory(SECAM) signal, an analog signal of the. Red Green Blue (RGB) format, astandard definition television (SDTV) format, an enhanced definitiontelevision (EDTV) format and a high definition television (HDTV) format.

Reference is now made concurrently to FIGS. 1-5, which are,respectively, a top view, a side elevation view, a front elevation view,a back elevation view and a bottom view of a SFP unit 10. The SFP unit10 comprises a housing 12. The housing defines a top 14, a bottom 24,and two sides 22. The housing 12 may be at least partially of dimensionsin compliance with the SFP, SFP+ and/or XFP specifications or havingfunctional dimensions based on the SFP or SFP+ specifications.

The SFP unit 10 further comprises a back panel 16 affixed to the housing12. The back panel 16 may comprise a rear interface 17, for example anelectrical or an optical interface. In an example, the back panelcomprises the rear interface 17 suitable to connect the SFP unit to abackplane of a chassis (not shown for clarity purposes), as known tothose skilled in the art.

The SFP unit 10 further comprises a front panel 18 affixed to thehousing 12. The front panel may comprise one or more connectors, forexample a connector 20, of a co-axial cable type, adapted to send and/orreceive an analog video signal and a connector 21, also of the co-axialcable type, adapted to send and/or receive a serial data signal. The SFPunit 10 may further comprise an engagement mechanism such as for examplea latch 26 as shown in a resting position on the bottom 24, formaintaining the SFP unit 10 in place within a chassis.

Examples of connectors in the context of the present disclosure compriseall types of co-axial cable connectors, all types of optic fiberconnectors, a Separate Video (S-Video) connector, a Composite Video,Blanking and Sync (CVBS) connector, a Radio Corporation of America.(RCA) connector, a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector, a Video InVideo Out (VIVO) connector, a YP_(B)P_(R) connector, a mini VideoGraphics Array (VGA) connector, a TV Aerial Plug, a mini-DIN (specifiedby the Deutsches Institut für Normung) connector, a Universal Serial Bus(USB) connector, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)connector, and a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) connector, wherein SDIconnectors include variants known as SD-SDI, HD-SDI, ED-SDI, 3G-SDI, andthe like. Some of these connector types are suitable for transmission ofanalog video signals, or serial data signals, or both, as is well-knownto those of ordinary skill in the art. Consequently, in an embodiment,the connector 20 and the connector 21 may be of the same type.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which shows a simplified, exemplaryblock diagram of a SFP unit 600 having signal conversion capabilities,according to an embodiment. The SFP unit 600 forms a conversion devicecomprising the connector 20 and the connector 21 introduced in theforegoing description of FIGS. 1-5; other shown components of the SFPunit 600 are internal to the housing 12 shown on the preceding Figures.

As shown, the exemplary SFP unit 600 supports at once features forconverting an analog video signal into a serial data signal and otherfeatures for converting a serial data signal into an analog videosignal. Other embodiments may comprise the features for converting theanalog video signal into the serial data signal, at the exclusion of thefeatures for converting the serial data signal into the analog videosignal. Yet other embodiments may comprise the features for convertingthe serial data signal into the analog video signal, at the exclusion ofthe features for converting the analog video signal into the serial datasignal.

Components and features of the shown SFP unit 600 will now be described,first in relation to an analog to digital/serial conversion, and then inrelation to a digital/serial to analog conversion. On FIG. 6, thickerarrows illustrate signal paths while thinner arrows illustrate power(voltage) distribution.

The connector 20 is for receiving a video signal in analog format. Thevideo signal may be applied to an optional amplifier/buffer 602 forgiving a gain to the video signal while also applying an input impedancethat is compatible to a source of the video signal. The video signal isthen applied to an analog to digital convertor (ADC) 604 for convertingthe video signal into a digital signal. The digital signal obtained fromthe ADC 604 may be represented as a suite of digital “words”, in whicheach word comprises a number of parallel bits ranked from a mostsignificant bit (MSB) to a least significant bit (LSB). In typicalapplications, 12-bit words may be used, although other formats arecomprised within the scope of the present disclosure. The digital signalmay optionally be processed by a video processor 606 for treating thedigital signal. Treating the digital signal may comprise applying acorrection to the digital signal. In various embodiments, treating thedigital signal may comprise filtering, emphasizing, de-emphasizing,de-jittering or de-aliasing the digital signal. The digital signal isthen converted, from its parallel format into a serial format, in aserializer module 608. Thereafter, the serial data signal is output onthe connector 21.

In the opposite direction, the connector 21 is for receiving a serialdata signal. The serial data signal is applied to a deserializer module610. A resulting digital signal, comprising words in a parallel format,is then applied to a digital to analog converter (DAC) 612 for producingtherefrom a video signal. The video signal may optionally be applied tothe amplifier/buffer 602, giving the video signal some gain andproviding an output impedance compatible with a receiver of the videosignal. The video signal is then output on the connector 20.

An embodiment of the SFP unit 600 adapted for conversion of an analogvideo signal into a serial data signal may simply comprise theconnectors 20 and 21, the ADC 604 and the serializer module 606. Anotherembodiment of the SFP unit 600 adapted for conversion of a serial datasignal into an analog video signal may simply comprise the connectors 20and 21, the deserializer module 610 and the DAC 612. Conversion devicescapable of converting signals in a single direction are thus includedwithin the scope of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 therefore illustratesa dual-capable conversion device while not intending to limit thepresent disclosure.

As is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art, some connectortypes provide an input voltage in addition to analog or digital signalinformation. As a non-limiting example, the connector 21 may be a USBconnector that provides an input voltage V+, having a nominal value offive (5) volts within a five (5) percent margin. The input voltage V+ isapplied to a direct current (DC) power supply 614. The power supply 614may be a simple array of conductors for directly providing the inputvoltage V+ to the various components 602-612 of the SFP unit 600. Insome embodiments, the power supply 614 may include a voltage regulatorfor ensuring a stable voltage distribution to the components of the SFPunit 600. In other embodiments, the power supply 614 may comprise one ormore DC-DC converters for converting the input voltage V+ into one ormore voltage levels compatible with the characteristics of the variouscomponents of the SFP unit 600.

Other variations from the description of the SFP unit 600 as shown inFIG. 6 and as described hereinabove will readily come to those ofordinary skills in the art. For example, in an alternative embodiment, aSFP unit may comprise a single connector on its front panel 18. Featuresof one of the connectors 20 or 21 may then be implemented using the rearinterface 17 shown on FIG. 4.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which shows a simplified, exemplaryblock diagram of a SFP unit 700 having signal conversion capabilities,according to another embodiment. The SFP unit 700 has dual conversioncapabilities owing to the presence of a dual-purpose ADC/DAC 704 and ofa combined serializer/deserializer module 708, commonly known as a“SerDes”. The SFP unit 700 may also comprise an amplifier/buffer 602 anda video processor 606. An input voltage V+ is received into the SFP unit700 via the rear interface 17 shown on FIG. 4. The input voltage V+ isapplied to a DC power supply 614 that in turn provides the same or amodified input voltage to the amplifier/buffer 602, to the ADC/DAC 704,to the video processor 606 and to the SerDes module 708.

A video signal may be received at the connector 20, in analog format.The video signal may be applied to the optional amplifier/buffer 602.The video signal is then applied to ADC/DAC 704 for converting the videosignal into a digital signal. The digital signal may optionally beprocessed by the video processor 606 for treating the digital signal.Treating the digital signal may comprise applying a correction to thedigital signal, for example by filtering, emphasizing, de-emphasizing,de-jittering or de-aliasing the digital signal. The digital signal isthen converted into a serial format in the SerDes module 708.Thereafter, the serial data signal is output on the connector 21.

Because the SFP unit 700 has dual conversion capabilities, the connector21 may, in the opposite direction, receive a serial data signal. Theserial data signal is applied to the SerDes module 708. A resultingdigital signal then bypasses the video processor 606 and is applied tothe ADC/DAC 704 for producing therefrom a video signal. The video signalmay optionally be applied to the amplifier/buffer 602. The video signalis then output on the connector 20.

Bypassing the video processor 606 may comprise passing the digitalsignal through a path that does not include the video processor 606 orpassing the signal through the video processor 660 in a transparentfashion.

While FIG. 6 shows an input voltage supplied by the connector 21, FIG. 7shows an alternative embodiment in which an input voltage may besupplied by the rear interface 17. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill readily appreciate that these arrangements are exemplary and arenot intended to limit the present disclosure. Of course, either of theembodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, and obvious variations thereof, maycomprise an input voltage supplied from connectors 20 or 21, from therear interface 17, or from other sources. For example, in anotheralternative embodiment, the connector 20 may provide a first inputvoltage for use in the ADC 604, in the DAC 612 and/or in the ADC/DAC 704while the connector 21 may provide a second input voltage for use in theserializer 608, in the deserializer 610 and/or in the SerDes 708.Additionally, while a single voltage line is shown from either of theconnector 21 or from the rear interface 17, leading to the DC powersupply 6.14, other arrangements may comprise a plurality of lines forproviding a stable voltage ground, one or more levels or positivevoltages and/or one or more levels of negative voltages.

FIGS. 8-12 show variations of SFP units according to additional aspectsof the present disclosure. Some details of the preceding figures are notrepeated hereinbelow for clarity purposes. In all of the followingfigures, connectors may comprise a co-axial cable connector, an opticfiber connector, a S-Video connector, a CVBS connector, a RCA connector,a BNC connector, a VIVO connector, a YP_(B)P_(R) connector, a mini VGAconnector, a TV Aerial Plug, a mini-DIN connector, a USB connector, aHDMI connector, and a SDI connector. Also, in any one of FIGS. 8-12, DCpower distribution may be made according to the various means describedin relation to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 8 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit 800 havingcross conversion capabilities, according to an embodiment. The SFP unit800 comprises a video processor 606, which may be a different unit fromthe processors of the preceding figures, or which may alternatively be asimilar multi-purpose processor programmed differently from those of thepreceding figures. The SFP unit 800 may optionally comprise one or moreadditional components, including for example an equalizer 802 and acable driver 808. A video signal may be received at the connector 20.The received video signal may be equalized by the equalizer 802. Thevideo processor 606 then converts the video signal from a first format,as it was received at the connector 20, to a second format. The videosignal may be given a gain by the cable driver 802 prior to outputtingat the connector 21.

FIG. 9 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit 900 havingcross conversion capabilities, according to another embodiment.Comparing FIGS. 8 and 9, FIG. 9 further comprises an optional ADC 902and an optional DAC 908 for converting a received video signal from ananalog format to a digital format, before conversion of the video signalfrom a first format to a second format in the video processor 606, andfor converting the resulting video signal to an analog format beforeoutputting at the connector 21

In the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, conversion between the first andsecond formats may comprise converting from any one to any other one ofthe NTSC format, the PAL format, the SECAM format and the RGB format.For digital video signals, conversion between the first and secondformats may comprise converting from any one to any other one of theSDTV format, the EDTV format and the HDTV format, using up-conversion ordown-conversion. A further embodiment may comprise only one of the ADC902 or DAC 908, and conversion may comprise at least in part conversionfrom any analog video format to any digital video format or from anydigital video format to any analog video format. Of course, some otherembodiments may comprise various combinations of the ADC 902, the. DAC908, the equalizer 802 and/or the cable driver 808 included in a sameSFP unit.

FIG. 10 is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit 1000having synchronization capabilities, according to an embodiment. FIG. 11is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit 1100 havingsynchronization capabilities, according to another embodiment. FIG. 12is a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a SFP unit 1200 havingsynchronization capabilities, according to a further embodiment.Referring at once to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, a video signal may be receivedat the connector 20. The video processor 606 then uses a timing sourceto apply frame synchronization to frames of the video signal. The videosignal may then be output at the connector 21. Though not specificallyshown on FIGS. 10-12, the SFP units 1000, 1100 and/or 1200 may furthercomprise an ADC connected to the first connector. When the receivedvideo signal is an analog video signal, the ADC converts the analogvideo signal to a digital video signal before application of framesynchronization by the processor 606.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the timing source is an internal clock1004 internal to the SFP unit 1000. On FIG. 11, the timing source isobtained from a chassis in which the SFP unit 1100 is inserted, via therear interface 17. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the timing source isobtained from an additional connector 30, which may be for examplemounted on the front panel 18 of the SFP unit 1200.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the description ofthe SFP units and conversion devices are illustrative only and are notintended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readilysuggest themselves to such persons with ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of the present disclosure. It will, for example, be possibleto construct, based on the teachings of the present disclosure, a devicecomprising a SFP unit capable of receiving an NTSC video signal,converting the video signal to a digital format, applying framesynchronization to the digital video signal, up-converting the digitalvideo signal to the EDTV format, and then serializing the resultingdigital signal prior to output thereof. Other combinations will come tomind to those of ordinary skills in the art. The disclosed SFP units andconversion devices may be customized to offer valuable solutions toexisting needs and, problems of signal conversion.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations of the SFP units and of the conversion devices are shownand described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation of the SFP units orconversion devices, numerous implementation-specific decisions may needto be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such ascompliance with application-, system-, network- and business-relatedconstraints, and that these specific goals will vary from oneimplementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover,it will be appreciated that a development effort might be complex andtime-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking ofengineering for those of ordinary skill in the field of signalconversion having the benefit of the present disclosure.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the components, describedherein may be implemented using various types of hardwired devices,field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), or the like.

Systems and modules described herein may comprise software, firmware,hardware, or any combination(s) of software, firmware, or hardwaresuitable for the purposes described herein.

Although the present disclosure has been described hereinabove by way ofnon-restrictive, illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments maybe modified at will within the scope of the appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit and nature of the present disclosure.

1. A small form-factor pluggable (SFP) unit comprising: a first connector for receiving a video signal; an analog to digital convertor (ADC) for converting the video signal into a digital signal; a serializer module for transforming the digital signal into a serial data signal; and a second connector for outputting the serial data signal.
 2. The SFP unit of claim 1, wherein the video signal is selected from the group consisting of a National Television System Committee (NTSC) signal, a Phase Alternating Line (PAL) signal, a Sequential Color with Memory (SECAM) signal, and an analog signal of a Red Green Blue (RGB) format.
 3. The SFP unit of claim 1, comprising a processor for treating the digital signal before serializing.
 4. The SFP unit of claim 3, wherein treating the digital signal comprises an element selected from the group consisting of filtering, emphasizing, de-emphasizing, de-jittering and de-aliasing the digital signal.
 5. The SFP unit of claim 1, wherein the first connector is selected from the group consisting of a co-axial cable connector, a optic fiber connector, a Separate Video (S-Video) connector, a composite video, blanking and sync (CVBS) connector, a Radio Corporation of America (RCA) connector, a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector, a Video In Video Out (VIVO) connector, a YP_(B)P_(R) connector, a mini Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector, a TV Aerial Plug, and a mini-DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) connector.
 6. The SFP unit of claim 1, wherein the second connector is selected from 2294467.1 the group consisting of a co-axial cable connector, a optic fiber connector, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) connector, a BNC connector, a mini VGA connector, a High-Definition. Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector, and a mini-DIN connector.
 7. A small form-factor pluggable (SFP) unit comprising: a first connector for receiving a serial data signal; a deserializer module for transforming the serial data signal into a digital signal; a digital to analog convertor (DAC) for converting the digital signal into a video signal; and a second connector for outputting the video signal.
 8. The SFP unit of claim 7, wherein the video signal is selected from the group consisting of a National Television System Committee (NTSC) signal, a Phase Alternating Line (PAL) signal, a Sequential Color with Memory (SECAM) signal, and an analog signal of a Red Green Blue (RGB) format.
 9. A conversion device comprising: a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) unit comprising: an analog to digital convertor/digital to analog convertor (ADC/DAC) for converting a signal between an analog format and a digital parallel format, a serializer/deserializer module for transforming a digital signal between the digital parallel format and a serial format, a first connector for receiving and/or sending a video signal according to the analog format, and a second connector for receiving and/or sending a data signal according to the serial format.
 10. The conversion device of claim 9, wherein the serializer/deserializer module comprises separate modules for transforming the digital signal from the digital parallel format to the serial format and for transforming the digital signal from the serial format to the digital parallel format.
 11. The conversion device of claim 9, wherein the serializer/deserializer module is formed of a dual-purpose module.
 12. A small form-factor pluggable (SFP) unit comprising: a first connector for receiving a first video signal according to a first format; a processor for converting the first video signal from the first format to a second format; and a second connector for outputting a second video signal according to the second format.
 13. The SFP unit of claim 12, comprising: an analog to digital convertor (ADC) for digitizing the first video signal before application of conversion by the processor; a digital to analog convertor (DAC) for converting the second video signal from a digital format to an analog format after application of the conversion by the processor.
 14. The SFP unit of claim 12, wherein the first format is selected from the group consisting of a National Television System Committee (NTSC) signal, a Phase Alternating Line (PAL) signal, a Sequential Color with Memory (SECAM) signal, and an analog signal of a Red Green Blue (RGB) format.
 15. The SFP unit of claim 12, wherein the second format is selected from the group consisting of a National Television System Committee (NTSC) signal, a Phase Alternating Line (PAL) signal, a Sequential Color with Memory (SECAM) signal, and an analog signal of a Red Green Blue (RGB) format.
 16. The SFP unit of claim 12, wherein the first format is one of a standard definition television (SDTV), enhanced definition television (EDTV) and high definition television (HDTV), and the second format is another one of SDTV, EDTV and HDTV.
 17. The SFP unit of claim 12, wherein the first second connectors are selected from the group consisting of a co-axial cable connector, a optic fiber connector, a Separate Video (S-Video) connector, a composite video, blanking and sync (CVBS) connector, a Radio Corporation of America (RCA) connector, a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector, a Video In Video Out (VIVO) connector, a YP_(B)P_(R) connector, a mini Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector, a TV Aerial Plug, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector, and a mini-DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) connector.
 18. A small form-factor pluggable (SFP) unit comprising: a first connector for receiving an analog or digital video signal; a timing source; a processor for applying frame synchronization to frames of the video signal based on the timing source; and a second connector for outputting the video signal.
 19. The SFP unit of claim 18 wherein the timing source comprises an internal clock.
 20. The SFP unit of claim 18, wherein the SFP unit is for insertion in a chassis and the timing source comprises a third connector for connecting the SFP unit to a timing reference of the chassis.
 21. The SFP unit of claim 18, wherein the timing source comprises a third connector for connecting the SFP unit to an external timing reference. 